The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

THE BRIDAL OF TRIERMAIN.

7

if the question be considered on its own merits, we
must be satisfied that narrative poetry, if strictly
'Never presume to make a god appear
But for a business worthy of a god.'-ROSCOMMON.
That is to say, a poet should never call upon the gods for
their assistance, but when he is in great perplexity."
FOR THE DESCRIPTIONS.
For a Tempest.-" Take Eurus, Zephyr, Auster, and
Boreas, and cast them together into one verse. Add to these,
of rain, lightning, and of thunder, (the loudest you can,)
quantum sujlcit. Mix your clouds and billows well together
until they foam, and thicken your description here and there
with a quicksand. Brew your tempest well in your head
before you set it a-blowing."
For a battle.-" Pick a large quantity of images and descriptions from Homer's Iliad, with a spice or two of Virgil;
and if there remain any overplus, you may lay them by for
a skirmish. Season it well with similes, and it will make an
excellent battle."
For a Burning Town.-" If such a description be necessary, because it is certain there is one in Virgil, Old Troy is
ready burnt to your hands. But if you fear that would be
thought borrowed, a chapter or two of the Theory of Conflagration, well circumstanced, and tone into verse, will be
a good succedaneum."
As for similes and metaphors, " they may be found all over
the creation. The most ignorant may gather them, but the
danger is in applying them. For this, advise with your
bookseller."
FOR THE LANGUAGE.
(I mean the diction.) " Here it will do well to be an imitator of Milton; for you will find it easier to imitate him in this
than any thing else. Hebraisms and Grecisms are to be
1 From Lib. iii. De Conflagratione Mundi, of Telluris
Theoria Sacra, published in 4to, 1689. By Dr. Thomas Burnet, master of the Charter-House.